These are all my recommendations for everything creative from art supplies I personally use, love and recommend, books for your creative business that I've gained value from, & any other tools, & products that I find really useful in my creative business and my digital nomad life. I'll share them with you so you can gain traction in yours.
As I develop this guide for you, I will be writing about them, in depth, on my blog and you'll see the link below each recommendation when it's available. This page also contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase (yay you) I will also get a small commission (yay me). So, thank you.
Tech Guide
Ipad (of course)
The Ipad Pro 12.9" is the primary way I create my digital art using Procreate and a few other graphic apps. It's got more grunt than other tablets and gives me more flexibility for creating with no lag on those huge art files.
Apple Pencil
Pressure sensitivity is the thang that makes painting watercolors (or creating art) on the Ipad so authentic, by creating marks on the canvas like I would on paper. The Apple Pencil 2nd Gen speaks my love language.
Apple's Magic Keyboard
Is it a laptop? Is it an Ipad? Is it a case? Is it a stand. I'll tell you what it is. It's the bomb, and it's all of those things! The Apple Magic Keyboard / Case keeps my ipad nice n snug, and it makes it easy to type anywhere, and easy on my neck and back. Also, it says Magic in the name. Who doesn't love magic?
Creative Software, Apps & Brushes
Procreate App
So this is the app I snuggle up with, in front of an open fire. I do the majority of my digital artwork on the Procreate app and I can create digital raster files so big that they are super high res, even large enough for wall murals. You can produce Industry Standard files with Procreate too. In fact, I love this app so much, I even teach classes on how to use it.
Affinity Designer App
Sometimes, I just need a vector based app and Affinity works smoothly on the Ipad. I also found it easy to learn because there are plenty of tutorials online. Pictured above is the Infinity interface on my Ipad and I used it to make some mockups of my artwork.
Procreate Aqua Real Brush Set
Aqua Real is my favorite Procreate watercolor brush set created by Lisa Glanz, that even has a 2 toned brush so you can easily bleed colors on one paint stroke and the set also includes watercolor paper textures, as well as tutorials. This set that I bought from Design Cuts creates authentic watercolors, digitally. This is one of my French doors watercolors (pictured) that I painted using this brush set on Procreate.
Art Supplies
Winsor & Newton Watercolor
Winsor & Newton Watercolor tubes were the first paints I began watercolor painting with, over 20 years ago. I've recently started using their pans as well. The pans are super easy to load the brush which makes the painting process faster and clean up is efficient. I always use professional grade pigments like this one because my colors stay bright and transparent when mixed - never muddy.
Coliro PearlColors Metallics
Oooh I loved these Coliro Pearlcolors Watercolors pans so much, I blogged about them. Strong pigment that sticks to the paper, with strong metallic yet sheer like a true watercolor.
Want to see me use it? Read my blog.
Travel sized Watercolor Block
Intrend's a5 sized Watercolor paper block is a perfect size for watercolor or lettering on the go. It had a nice watercolor paper texture on one side and the other side is smooth like cold pressed, perfect for calligraphy. I painted the metallic watercolors on this paper (left).
Want to see me use it? Read my blog.
Filming
Teleprompter
I use the PromptSmart Pro app to smoothly read my intros for my creative classes to make sure I pack in all the information I need to share whilst never looking to the side of the camera.
Microphone
So I've been through 3 Lavallier Microphones before I finally found one that works well with lower background noise and plug and play ability for my mixed devices from my Google Pixel phone, to my Ipads and my Windows Laptop. This beauty even captured direct voiceover on my tracks without issue. Check out this Boya Mic. PS for my Google Pixel Phone, I also needed this SC4 adaptor and this UGREEN jack.
Lights / Tripods
To film my art classes, I use the Elitehood ring light with ipad and iphone holder. Why both? I use my ipad for my teleprompter and my iphone to record footage. This way, it looks like I am looking directly into the camera when I'm reading my lines for my dialogue heavy intro video. Sets up in a jiffy too.
Desk Tripods / Lights
I use a Ubeesize desk ring light set for lighting my desk for overhead shots. The boom on this set is lower, so I use it for angle shots for reels, rather than overhead footage.
Editing Software App
I love Adobe's Premier Rush app for on-the-go editing in my ipad. My devices are all mixed platforms so my google pixel output doesn't work with the desktop version even after converting to the preferred formats and using the right codecs. It seems there just isn't compatibility between the Pixel phone and Premier Pro desk top verison.
Editing software on a Budget
Video Studio Pro has an easy to navigate interface and can do everything you need for your class editing and you can get it done on a budget with out a subscription as a one-time purchase.
Creative Development
Skillshare
I teach on Skillshare, and I learn on Skillshare. It's an online learning platform where you can expand your creativity in bite sized lessons to fit your schedule. Here is my link for your free Premium Access to Skillshare! At the time of posting, this link is giving 1 month free access. Just think of what you could learn in that huge amount of time!!
Coming Soon
This space will be filled soon, with more tips for you as I continue to try new platforms and discover ones I love.
Coming Soon
This space will be filled soon, with more tips for you as I continue to try new platforms and discover ones I love.